How You Can Celebrate International Day of Yoga

June 21 is annually known as the International Day of Yoga, when people  around the world celebrate the merits and benefits of a yoga practice. Fun fact: in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga, and the draft resolution was proposed by India. 

I’m a pretty vocal advocate of a regular yoga practice, ever since I found my rhythm in a yoga/meditation class at my gym in early 2015. Since then, my practice has expanded from basic movements and poses to more advanced versions, including heated power yoga, aerial silk yoga and stand up paddleboard yoga. As they say: if you can, you must!

Beyond the physical aspects of yoga, the mental aspects are just as important and beneficial. Learning and practicing breathing skills and meditation help you tremendously both on and off the mat. 

It’s easy to celebrate and participate in the International Day of Yoga wherever you are. You don’t need a mat or fancy workout clothes. Take even just 10 minutes for yourself and do a few sun salutations. I won’t tell anyone if you close your office door and lie in savasana (or corpse pose, the final resting pose in any yoga class) for five minutes. 

Lafayette is home to some great yoga studios, and they’ve got some summertime and International Day of Yoga activities going on. Follow any of them on Facebook for more information:

• Acadiana Yoga and Wellness, 913 Harding St., is hosting an all-day workshop in honor of International Yoga Day, the summer solstice and their anniversary of moving into their current location. The Summer Solstice Day Retreat on June 24, welcomes anyone of any yoga experience level. Visit their website for the link to register.
• Down Dog Yoga, 2946 Johnston St., is opening all classes on June 21 for free and anyone who attends a class will automatically be entered in a drawing to win other free classes.
• Little Creek Yoga, 708 Jefferson Blvd., is having a summer solstice gong meditation at 7 p.m. June 20.
• Oui Power Yoga, 1921 Kaliste Saloom Road, Ste. 208A, is offering for students to bring a friend for free, all day June 21 for all classes.
• Red Lerille’s, 301 Doucet Road, does not have special International Day of Yoga events, but there are multiple yoga classes held every day, so members have many chances to get on their mats to celebrate International Day of Yoga.
• Yoga Garden, 2513 Johnston St., is hosting a Sound Nidra class on June 20, allowing you to kick off International Yoga Day a little early. In addition, they’re hosting a summer backyard concert series, with the next concert happening June 29.

Whether you attend a studio or practice at home, invite your spouse/children/parents/roommates to participate and celebrate International Day of Yoga with you! Yoga is rooted in unity, and June 21 is the perfect day to celebrate worldwide unity through practice.

I’ll leave y’all with a quote from the legendary yogi B.K.S. Iyengar: “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

Read more from Caitlin at EcoCajun.com.